Loading platform



Dec. 31, 1929. H. w. JENCKS LOADING PLATFORM Filed Jan. 17, 1927 Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOLLIS W. JENCKS, OF HIGHLAND PARK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO TRUSCON STEEL COMPANY, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO,.A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN LOADING PLATFORM Application filedJanuary 17, 1927. Serial No. 161,555.

The present invention relates to loading platforms and particularly to metallic loading platforms.

Heretofore, metallic loading platforms have been made by bending down at right angles the two opposite ends of a rectangular piece of sheet metal to form legs for the central portion which then serves as the platform. The difficulty with such platforms is 1 their lack of rigidity. This form of platform was then improved by stiffening both the legs. and platform portion by ribbing the metal, the ribs extending across the platform and down to the lower ends of the legs. Even this form of platform was found less rigid than desired.

Among the objects of the present invention is the overcoming of these difficulties and the provision of a platform which has no tendency Whatever-to wabble or collapse sidewise.

Other objects will clearly appear to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the present platform;

Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal section therethrough; and

Fig. 3 is a section through one corner of the platform showing the bracing.

bent at complemental angles and welded or otherwise secured within the corners of the platforms between ribs 11. These bracing members 15 are preferably of sufficient width to extend substantially from one rib to the next and there may be a plurality of such braces for each leg of the platform.

Having now described the invention and the preferred form of embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the said invention is to be limited not to the specific details herein set forth and illustrated but only by the scope of the claim which follows.

I claim A loading platform consisting of a sheet of metal having opposite sides bent down to form supporting legs for the intermediate portion, inwardly extending ribs extending across said intermediate portion and down said legs, and corner braces within the corners formed between the legs and intermediate portion between the ribs and fixed to said legs and to said intermediate portion, said braces yond the top line of the ribs.

HOLLIS V. JENCKSl As indicated in the drawing, a platform embodying the present invention consists of a sheet of metal 10 rectangular in shape and ribbed as at 11 and having the two opposite sides, at the ends of the ribs, bent down at right angles to form legs 12 supporting the intermediate portion 13 forming the load receiving portion, the ribs extending inward- -ly serving to stiffen both the portion 13 and legs .12. The invention in the present structure consists in combining with such a structure as just described diagonal corner braces 15 so arranged as not to extend so far beyond the line of the tops of said ribs as to interfere with the running under the platform of a suitable truck (not shown) in order to transport the platform and its load. These braces 15 consist of metal strips having their ends so placed as not to extend substantially be- 7 

